@St. Norbert February 2012 - Nationally sponsored lecture series marks 30th year at St. Norbert College

St. Norbert College

Former U.S. Ambassador Carey Cavanaugh

February 2012

Nationally sponsored lecture series marks 30th year at St. Norbert College

A major lecture series now in its 30th year at St. Norbert will draw a remarkable lineup of experts on international affairs to campus this spring.

The Great Decisions Lecture Series brings together local, regional and national experts to discuss international issues of interest to the community. The 2012 series begins Feb. 15 with a lecture by former U.S. Ambassador Carey Cavanaugh.

“This is the strongest lineup of nationally and internationally known speakers that the Great Decisions Series has ever brought to SNC,” says Joseph Tullbane (International Education).

St. Norbert is one of only two schools in Wisconsin to present the entire series in this annual nationwide program orchestrated by the Foreign Policy Association of America. Since its beginnings in 1954, the initiative has focused on providing a local forum on provocative political and economic issues of the day.

Cavanaugh, director of the University of Kentucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy, leads off this year’s series, lecturing on “Promoting Democracy Around the World.” Although officially retired as a diplomat, Cavanaugh continues his involvement in issues surrounding the Russian and Georgian conflict.

The speakers for 2012

Feb. 15Ambassador Carey Cavanaugh, director of the University of Kentucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy, will speak on “Promoting Democracy Around the World.”

Feb. 22Jeffrey Carr, CEO of Taia Global Inc. and author of “Inside Cyber Warfare,” will speak on “Cybersecurity and the Threat.” Carr is a well-known authority on cybersecurity and served on a White House-appointed expert panel on the topic.

Feb. 29Matthew Dalstrom, professor of anthropology at Rockford College, will lecture on “Mexico, the Drug Cartels, and Effects on the U.S.” Dalstrom specializes in Mexico and the issues of illegal drugs.

March 7Steven Metz, regional strategy and planning department chair for the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute, will speak on “Exit Strategies for Iraq and Afghanistan.” Metz will offer his views on the strategic options for the U.S. as it prepares to exit two war zones.

March 21Mark Bockenhauer (Geography) and Wendy Scattergood (Political Science) will lecture on “Energy Geopolitics.” Bockenhauer and Scattergood together will paint a picture of energy’s key role in the world, today and in the future.

March 28David Poister (Chemistry and Environmental Science) will lecture on “The State of the World’s Oceans.” Poister studies oceans as the world’s most precious resource.

April 4Donald Weatherbee, senior fellow at the University of South Carolina’s Walker Institute of International Studies, will present “Indonesia.” Weatherbee is widely considered the U.S.’s top expert on Indonesia. He will explain the country’s complex balance between a secular government and one of the largest Muslim populations in the world.

April 11 Sean Callaghan, lead consultant at Strategic Impact, will present “Unlearning Racism: Confronting Apartheid in Our Hearts.” Callaghan, a native of South Africa, will draw from his 30 years of experience working for sustainable peace and justice in Africa, Iraq and around the world.

April 18Rami George Khouri, director of the Institute for Public Policy at American University of Beirut, will speak on “Middle East Realignment.” Khouri is an internationally syndicated columnist who regularly appears on NPR, CNN and the BBC.

All lectures begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the Fort Howard Theater of the Bemis International Center. Admission to individual sessions is $5; an advance subscription to the entire series, which includes a copy of the Great Decisions briefing book, can be purchased for $50.